Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-04-12
BEwILDEn1NG ENTERPRISE.
An Astonishing Feat in Difficult News
paper Detective Work.

paper Detective Work.
The most astounding piece of enterpris-
ing journalism ever witnessed in the an
nails of time has taken place within the
quiet precincts of the Capital City of the
Golden State within the past few days, and
all the laurels of the stupendous feat are
richly earned trophies of the Daily Egening
Bee. The proprietors of that paper, without
regard to cost, and at an enormous
expense of detective ability, have actually
astonished the newspaper fraternity of the
globe by unearthing a mystery and pro
found secret-which had been going the
rounds of thepress for several days previous.
On Thursday, april 7th, the Bee published a
column and half double-leaded expose,
identifying w. K Rodgers, of Sonoma, as
Kissane, and had to borrow double-length
circus-poster type to make suitably strlk
ing headlines. The entire editorial space
of that DAYS issue was devoted to double
loaded self-laudation of the wonderful
journalistic feat accomplished. Among
the self satisfying editorial expressions IN
dulged in were these:
Acting upon little hint that came-no mat
ter from where nor from whom-the Bee dis
l. =
dayl afternoon to a reliable journalist, TO an
earth the mystery matter in arhut time. nor at
arIat erpenSe-but TO be certain and
follow Dayy Croekett's advice, to be
sure he was right and then go ahead
The clue was stronger than was thought and
to-day the Bee publishes the story with Names
ahead Of any paper on TIE continent. Mhen news
Is to be had, the Bee will never be behindhand.
Let it be remembered that this was on
Thursday last-Apfit 7h. To appreciate the
affnrf IN find ont
the real name of Kissane, and the results
which flowed from the Bees dispatching
:" to San Francisco 10 a reliable journalist
to uReorth The mystery, no matter IN uhdt
time, nor at l0hat expense, it is only neces-
sary to state that, in addition to Rodgers
name having been previously limited IN the
New York Corut proceedings, the San
Francisco California Demokrdt, on Saturday,
Al3rI I'd, published the facts as to the
identity of Kissane and VIM. X. Rodgers,
and concerning his residence, position in
society. etc. One week ago last Sunday
April 3d-these facts were made the pub
lie property OF the newspapers OF the world
by being sent broadcast over the wires by
the Associated Press. The dispatch APP
peared the following morning Monday
AprI 4ut-in papers served by the Asso-
ciated Press, as follows:
SAN FRANCISCO, April 5Q.-1Qere SEEMS 10 DC
no doubt among those in q position to know,
that the statement published yesterday in the
California Demokrdt German paper, of this
city, regarding Kissane, and telegraphed last
night is absolutely correct, and that William
Kissane and Col VIM. X. Rodgers, awealthy cit
izen of this State, living at Sonoma, is one and
the same person. The fact has been known to
several people Of this city for three days, but
out of consideration for his family and connec-
lions in this State has not been made known.
The California DeRokrdt newspaper was the hrst
to reveal Kissane's identity, but nothing further
than what was telegraphed last night from
Cleveland has been mentioned on the subject.
Kissane's or Rodgers connections by marriage
are among the wealthiest and most prominent
people OF the city.
The above is clipped from the Portland
Oregoaian, but in the New York World of
the same date, and the Semi Weekly World
of April 9Th, which are at hand, together
with the other Eastern papers, the same
dispatch is noticed. 1t was therefore out
in the Eastern lCeeklies as early as Tuesday,
April 9Th, whereas the wonderful double
loaded expose in the Bee-obtained regard
less of cost-did not appear in its astonish-
ing double-leaded thunder until two days
afterwards Thursday, AprH 7H.
1t is needless, perhaps, to mention the
further fact that as the above dispatch APP
peared, as stated, in the Oregonian of Non
day, 4prH 4th, and by the usual time of
travel reached San Francisco and Sacra-
mento on Wednesday, Apra 6th. the day
on which the Bees special journalistic de-
teetive was set to work with positive in
structions to spare neither time nor money
in finding out who Kissane really was, this
piece of newspaper enterprise" will for
ali time to come remain the marvel of
journalistic history, and an everlasting
monument to the superiority of the even
ing journals published upon the western
coniineSof Yankee civilization.